sheehy



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

R. J. SHBBHY.

ELECTRIC ARG LAMP.

No. 307,683. Patented Nov. 4. 1884.

By his A Harney@` (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. R. J, SHEEHY.

ELECTRIC ARG LAMP.

Patented Nov. 4, 1884.

` By his Af/orneys UNITED STATES PATENT @Friet-3.

ROBERT J. SHEEHY, OF NEV YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC- ARC LAMP.

SPECIFICATION forming pari: of Letters Patent No. 307,683, dated November 4, 1884.

Application filed October 1G, 1882.

bl whom, may concer/e:

Be it known that I, ROBERT J. Srinnnv, a citizen ofthe United States, and a resident of the city of NewYork, in the county and State of N ew York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric-Arc Lamps, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of electric-arc lamps in which the so-called electricare7 is maintained between two carbon electrodes. It particularly relates to the following features of said electric-lighting systems: iirst, that class of appliances commonly denominated regnlatoi-S, the otlice of which is to cause a uniform and maximum degree of light to be produced by establishing` and thereafter. continually maintaining the proper sepa ration between the electrodes; second, a means of providing fresh electrodes whenever a pair of electrodes are consumed, and of thus continuing the action of the light through any desired length of time, and also of bringing said fresh electrodes into the proper position in the light mechanism-as, for example, the center of a globe or the focus of a reflector, third, a means of withdrawing the light from the circuit in the event of the development of an abnormal resistance.

I'he mechanical features of my invention maybe described in outline as follows: A central revolving shaft is provided near its lower end with suitable devices for carrying a number of negative electrodes, and at its upper end with corresponding appliances for carrying a similar number ot' positive electrodes and certain elements of the regulating mechanism. This central vertical shaft tends to revolve upon its axis under the influence of a force which is automatically brought into action wheneverthe consumption of a set of electrodes is completed. This permits the revolution of the shaft `under the action of said force, and thereby brings another set of electrodes into the position formerly occupied by the set consumed. rlhe regulating mechanism employed is operated, in the usual or any desired manner, by means of stationary electro-magnets situated, respectively, in the main and shunt circuits. In conjunction with each one or" the positive electrodes with which the lamp may be equipped I employ, first,

devices for modifying the speed of approximation, and, secondly, clamping mechanism whereby when any particular set of electrodes is in action the regulating mechanism of that particular set may be brought into co-operation with the said stationary system of regulating-magnets. To withdraw the lamp from the circuit when defective, I employ an automatic cut-ont actuated by the electro-magnetism developed through the agency ol" the shunted current whenever it exceeds a predetermined strengtlnwhich abnormal shunt-current operates to withdraw the mechanism which supports a weight, so as to allow the same to descend and close a shunt-circuit spanning the electrodes and are of the lamp, which shunt-circuit may be of small resistance, or ot' resistance equivalent to that of the normal are, as desired. 4

)Iy invention is clearly exhibited in the aecompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a side elevation, partially in section, of myelectric lamp. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the radial disposition of the several sets ot' electrodes and such parts ot' the regulating mechanism as is employed in conjunction with each, and Fig. 3 shows the automatic cut-out meehanism.

To parts appearing in more than one ligure the same reference-letters have been aflixed in each. y

A is a vertical shaft or spindle turning in the iixed bearings A2 and A3. At a point near its lower bearing it carries a series of radial arms provided with sockets B Y3* B, in which the negative electrodes-as, for example, G'are held. The sameshaft carries upon its upper end a series ot' corresponding radial arms, of which the arm D is shown in section in the ligure. Fear the outer end of this arm an aperture, D, is provided, through which loosely passes an electrode-holder, D. rIhis holder, which supports the positive electrode C?, traverses the nut D", and ascends or descends within the saine whenever said nut is reyolved, the revolution ofthe holder itself being prevented by the pin D, maintained within a vertical slot, D, in the holder Di by the pressure of the spring Dl, which may be pressed baci; when it is desired to withdraw the holder. rlhe nut itself' revolves in bearings at DS in the cap DJ and rests upon the collar Dm. It will therefore be understood ICO ICA

that any revolution ol the nut in one direction will cause said carbon-holder to be elcvatcd, while a like motion in the opposite direction will permit it to descend. The advance movement of the positive electrodes is effected b v the constant `l'oree ot' gravity, and for this purpose I prel'er to make the holder D of sufficient weight to cause the revolution ot' the uut and the mechanism cooperating therewith, except when checked by the action ot the regulating mechanism to be presently described. Each one ol' the arms D, ol' which there may be any desired number compatible with the size olVl the lamp, l'urther carries a clamping mechanism, which consists ol" a pawl, E, engaging the teeth ol` the ratchet El, carried by a shaft, every motion el' which is connnunicated by the wheel E and pinion Ff to the nut D. The withdrawal ot' the positive electrode may therefore be el'lectcd by propelling said pawl in one direction, while thc advance movemcntol'l the electrode may be produced by permitting the retrograde movement ol' said pawl in the opposite direction, or by its withdrawal from the teeth ol' the ratchet lig. l l'urther provide a train ol'I gearing coi'nprising the wheels and pinions lY E E, Jvc., the oliice ol which is to prevent the too .rapid movement ol` the movable electrode.

To the lowermost surface ot` the upper l'ace.- plate, F, are attached two hollow solenoids or axial electro-magnets, M/ Mi, ol' ordinary construction, the arma-tures ol' which are cylindrical cores of soft iron suspended at the proper point within the axial openings ol" the solenoids. Each armature-coreis maintained in its normal position upon the end ol' a right-angled or bcll-crank lever pivoted to the tramework ofthe lamp at the points G' and G2, rcspectively, and passing l'recly through the frame-work ol" the lamp. The extreme end ol' the angular lever from which the core ol` the main-line eleetro-magnetis suspended appears at the point lil, in which position it engages with the clamping mechanism otl the particular set ot' electrodes which is in position l'or operation. This is clearly presented in Fig. 2. The supportinglever ol' the armature of the shunt electro-magnet is also in like manner extended through the 'llame-work, and is provided with an extension, by which the movements ol" the core ol" said shunt electro-magnet may be communicated at the point lklo the hcreinbel'ore-describcd pawls in such manner as to withdraw them l'rom the teeth ot' their respective escapement-ratchets. Thus in the position shown in the ligure the lateral nievement ol' said extension-piece in the direction ofthe arrow will canse the pawl-lever to be turned upon its l'ulcrum T, withdrawing,the pawl from its position ol` engagement.

The electric circuits maybe traced as l`ollows: Frein the positive bindingpost K the main current passes by line L, coils of solenoid or electro-magnet M, contact-spring lli, arm D', (which will necessarily be that one of arm D is insulated l'rom the trame-work ol the instrument bythe paper collar D, and as an additional precaution l prei'er to insulate the lower part ofthe shalt A l'rom its upper end. l do this by making the shalt in two pieces, and fastening both to a sleeve ot' insulating material.

The mechanism by which the main shalt A is revolved when the consumption ol" a set ol' electrodes is completed maybe described as l'ollows: The said shalt given a continual. tendency to turn in its bearings by means ol" a spring, O, which is, however, normally held iu check by a stop-lever, l", which enters a recess in the l'ramewvork at il, and thereby maintains the arm D/ in the proper position l'or operation until released by the impingement ol' the cap 1"" (carried by the positive clectrodeholdcr) upon the lever P'. This permits the revolution ol' the shalt 1V, which brings the next succeeding set oll electrodes into position l'or operation. This movement, which might otherwise i'racture the electrodes, is retarded by means ol' au air-box and piston (shown at Q) or other equivalent device.

The operation ofthe mechanism thus l'ar de scribed is as follows: The two electrodes constituting the particular set which is in position 'l'or operation being normally in actual contact, the electric current passes by the routes already traced and actuates the armature ol' thc electro-magnet M, moving the lever l'll in opposition to the toi-cool' the retractile spring S, and communicating said motion to the pawl lY, thus elevating the positive electrode and establishing the are. This increases thc resistance ol" the main circuit, thus increasing the proportion ol.' the aggregate current which is diverted through the coils ol' the shuntmagnet Ml, and to a greater or less extent actuating its armature to remove the pawl from its engagement. ln practice, the point ol' equilibrium between these two opposing' forces and mechanisms is at once reached, and a unil'orm light l'rom the are is instituted and thcreal'tcr continuously maintained. Then the consumption oi" the electrodes is completed, the cap 1)" withdraws the detent l. from the .recess ll, in the manner hcrcinbcl'ore described, and permits the revolution oit' the shalt A a predetermined distance under the action olf the spring t), thereby bringing the next suc^ cceding set ol' electrodes into the main circuit, and also into position for operation, in which position they are locked, and from. which they are subsequently released in the same manner as the former set. .fly thesemliplianccs a uni- ICO IlO

torni light may be maintained throughout a period of time limited only by the number of sets of electrodes which it is found convenient to place upon the lamp. The cut-out mechanism of this lamp preferably comprises a weight, T, sliding upon an axial shaft, T2. This Weight is maintained in an elevated position by a dog, T3, held against a stop, T", by a spring, T". Then the resistance ot' the lnminous arc becomes so great as to materially interfere with the successful performance of other lamps upon or Within the same circuit, the dog T3 will be automatically Withdrawn by means of the lever U, the latter being actuated by the excessive movement of the lever H", which is due to the abnormal increase in the strength of current traversing the circuit ot the shunt electro-magnet. lVhcn thus released, the weight T falls between the metallic springs V V2, which are respectively connected to the positive and negative binding-posts of the lamp, which are thus bridged across so as to complete a shunt-circuit either ot' negligible resistance or of a resistance equivalent to that of the normal arc. To re-elevate said Weight l have provided a lever, Y, and cord Y; but any other convenient substitute may be employed.

I claim as myinventionl. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a central vertical shat't or spindle,aseries of radial arms ailixed thereto, a series of positive electrodes respceti v el y carried by said radial arms, a series oi' clamping mech.- anisnis each carried by one of said arms, and stationary electro-magnets for actuating said clamping mechanisms successively.

2. The combination, substantially as hereinbei'ore set forth, of a central vertical shaft or spindle, a motortending to rotate said shaft, radial arms affixed to said shaft, a positive electrode carried by each of said radial arms, and descending under the action of gravity, and mechanism upon each of said radial arms actuated by the descent of the positive electrode carried upon said arm for liberating said shaft to the action of said motor.

3. The multiplex elcctric-arc-light regulator consisting in the combination of a series of movable sets of electrodes, a movable` the too sudden approach or separation of its electrodes, and stationary main and shunt electro-magnets for operating said movable clamping mechanism.

i. In an electric-arc lamp, the combination, substantially as hereinbet'ore set forth, of a central shaft, a motor tending to rotate said shaft, radial arms or extensions thereof, a nut carried by each ot' said radial extensions, and a threaded shaft traversing each oi" said nuts, and mechanism for revolving the same to cause the elevation or depression ol' the correspond ing shaft,

5. in an elcctricarc lamp, the combination, substantially as hercinbetbrc set forth, ot' a central shaft, a radial arm or extension thereof", a nut carried by said radial extension, a threaded shaft traversing said nut and normally descending under the action ot' gravity, and mechanism for revolving said nut for the purpose of causing the elevation of said shaft.

(i. The combination, substantially as hercinbeforc set i'orth, ol" the movable electrode ol' an arc-lamp, a scrc\vnut supporting said electrode and rotated by its descending movement, a wheel rotating with said nut, a pawl or equivalent device engaging with the periphery ot' said wheel, and an electro-magnet vitalized by the light-producing current ior impelling said paivl in the direction necessary to ilnpart a retrograde movement to said electrode.

In testimony whereol l have hereunto subscribed my name this .3th day ot' October, A. D. 1882.

DANIEL W. Eneneoain 7 Miimnn C. EARL. 

